Child Psychology Commons^™

Trends. Spillover: Is United States Government Military Aid To Colombia All Wet?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses spillover of conflicts in Colombia into surrounding countries as related to United States government military aid.

Long-Term Outcomes Of An Abstinence-Based, Small-Group Pregnancy Prevention Program In New York City Schools, Lisa D. Lieberman, Heather Gray, Megan Wier, Renee Fiorentino, Patricia Maloney

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Context: Despite drops in U.S. teenage birthrates, questions continue to arise about how best to reduce the country's adolescent birthrate. School-based programs continue to be considered one of the best ways to reach adolescents at risk of early sexual activity.

Methods: A total of 312 students completed a pretest, a posttest and a follow-up one year after the posttest: 125 who had participated in a 3-4-month-long abstinence-based small-group intervention led by trained social workers, and 187 in a comparison group that received no special services.

Results: There were few significant differences between the intervention and comparison groups at posttest. At …

Working With Fathers...Dads & Emergent Literacy, Glen F. Palm

Child and Family Studies Faculty Publications

Part of the "Working with Fathers: Methods and Perspectives" column published by Family Information Services (Minneapolis, MN) and here published with their generous permission..

The Cardiac Correlates Of Attention In The Denervated Heart: A Study Of Infant Heart Transplant Recipients, Stephanie Dianne Griffone

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The cardiac correlate of attention is a deceleration in heart rate, controlled by the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. This has been extensively studied in infants; the findings indicate that this deceleration is affected by a number of factors, several mediated by the vagus nerve. However, the effects of denervation on this response are not known. Studies with adult heart transplant recipients have shown attenuated acceleration in response to stressful mental tasks. This study investigated the cardiac response to attention in infants who had received a heart transplant, using a habituation paradigm. The hypothesis that they would show …

A Preliminary Investigation Of The Acceptability And Effectiveness Of Computer-Based Adjunctive Parent Training For Child Noncompliance, Dwayne M. Munneke

Dissertations

Noncompliance with parent requests is a commonly reported behavior problem for clinic-based child referrals. Parent skills training has been empirically demonstrated as an effective treatment for helping parents increase positive child behaviors and decrease negative behaviors. Unfortunately, many therapists and agencies are unable to implement parent-training programs due to limited therapist training, limited economic resources, or long waiting lists.

Adjunctive, computer-based, treatment programs have become increasingly popular in both research and clinical settings for facilitating psychological assessment and intervention. This project involved the development and preliminary investigation of the effectiveness and acceptability of a computer-based program designed to supplement therapist-delivered …

Adult's Perceptions Of Children's Aggressive Play With Advertised And Non-Advertised Toys., Lori J. Klinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined adults’ perceptions of aggression in toys and toy commercials targeted toward young boys. The subjects, 262 undergraduate psychology students, completed the Buss/Perry Aggression Questionnaire and rated either a videotape of 10 boy-oriented toy commercials or slides of 10 non-advertised boy-toys. Parental status, exposure to an advertised versus non-advertised toy, and level of self-reported aggression were assessed to determine their relationship to perceptions of aggressiveness in a toy’s image and predicted play with the toy.

Univariate analyses of variance and paired sample t-tests were conducted. The results indicate that toys advertised in commercials are judged to portray more …

Educational Standards In A Democratic Society: Questioning Process And Consequences, Harriet K. Cuffaro

Child Development Institute Research and Resources

No abstract provided.

The Classroom As Community: Ideas From An Early Childhood Teacher, Jeannette G. Stone

Child Development Institute Research and Resources

I have based my views on my l953-97 experiences as a preschool teacher, administrator, and consultant—in cooperative preschools, Head Start programs, a college lab school, and child day care centers, including special education classrooms. Children in these settings have come from diverse economic and ethnic homes and neighborhoods. Staff members in centers for severely disabled children, as well as those with extremely limited budgets, may feel that particular realities prevent their adoption of some practices described here—such as class trips or purchase of quality materials, which can be expensive. I know how some teachers have to modify their programs for …

A Follow-Up Study Of A Primary Prevention Program Targeting Childhood Depression, Norman Chris Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Children have not historically been the subject of research focusing on internalizing disorders (i.e., childhood depression), even though childhood depression continues to be viewed as one of the most prevalent affective problem within this population. Over the past two decades, a small portion of that literature describes prevention efforts in public schools. There has been a growing body of literature centered on childhood depression. However, there are only three studies that report on longitudinal findings that have taken a primary prevention approach.

The present study was a follow-up investigation to delineate the effects of a school-based primary prevention program. The …

Trends. Abuses Of Child Abuse: Suspecting The Usual Suspects In The World Of Elian Gonzalez, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses the concept of child abuse, and expert opinion about it, pertaining to the Elian Gonzalez case. Many different definitions of child abuse were applied to the situation (from differing perspectives) as authorities tried to decide if Gonzalez belonged in Miami, Florida with is "new family," or in Cuba with his father.

From Play To Literacy: Implications For The Classroom, Sara Wilford

Child Development Institute Research and Resources

There are many perspectives on the connections between play and literacy. Writers and speakers concerned with this topic include professional educators in the area of literacy development, early childhood education specialists, and child development experts. My own interest evolved initially from my years as a first and second grade public school teacher. Later, as director of the Sarah Lawrence Early Childhood Center I wrote a book for parents called What You Need To Know When Your Child Is Learning To Read (1999), a book that focuses on variations in timing and domain among children as they seek different entry points …

Working With Fathers...Fatherhood 2000: Looking Backwards Towards The Future, Glen F. Palm

Child and Family Studies Faculty Publications

Part of the "Working with Fathers: Methods and Perspectives" column published by Family Information Services (Minneapolis, MN) and here published with their generous permission..

Trends. Political Psychologies And The Welfare Of Elian Gonzalez, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses issues surrounding the rescue of 6-year-old Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez.

Self-Mutilation : Using Pain To Cope, Wendy S. Cook

Graduate Research Papers

Self-mutilation is a serious mental and physical health problem that is often under-reported and misdiagnosed. The mutilation is a reaction to negative internal feelings, such as despair, anxiety, anger, or cognitive constriction. The goal of the self-mutilation is relief from emotional pain by using physical pain. The self-mutilator has low self-esteem, bouts of depression, difficulty forming intimate relationships, and usually suffered some type of trauma such as physical or sexual abuse. Pharmacological treatment for the self-mutilator has been experimental but has not been well researched. However, research seemed to indicate that individual and group therapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy, is helpful …

Does The Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children / 3rd Edition Discriminate Between Ld And Non-Ld Children, Ages 9 To 16 Years Old?, Matthew E. Dehmlow

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether the Wechsler’s Intelligence Scale for Children / 3^rd Edition (WISC-III) can discriminate between students with learning disabilities (LD students) and students without learning disabilities (non-LD students). Although the WISC-III has established itself as a valuable psychological instrument for measuring intelligence, the subtests of the WISC-IH have been selected to examine possible differentiating patterns when examining a group of LD subjects and comparing their subtest results to a group of non-LD subjects. The current study proposes to examine the capability of the WISC-HI’s subtests to discriminate between a population of …

The Grooved Pegboard Test With Ld And Non-Ld Children, Aimee H. Earley

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) at identifying learning disabled (LD) children between the ages of 9 and 16. Fifty-six children were involved in the study: 27 in the LD group and 29 in the non-LD group. All subjects had a full scale IQ that fell in the 80 to 120 range. A battery of neurological tests was administered to all subjects and the data gleaned from each test was individually analyzed. Findings showed that the administration of the Grooved Pegboard Test produced statistically significant results in determining LD when subjects used their dominant hand …

The Ability Of Trail Making Test Parts A And B For Children And Adolescents To Discriminate Between Learning Disabled Students And Non-Learning Disabled Students, Glorene K. Evilsizor

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Trail Making Test Parts A and B is a neuropsychological test that has long been thought to be a highly reliable and valid test that is able to discriminate cerebral dysfunction. In the present study, an investigation was completed in order to determine whether or not the Trail Making Test Parts A and B could differentiate learning disabled students from non-learning disabled students in four counties in West Virginia. Fifty-six students ranging from ages 9-16 (mean age 9.9) were involved in the study. The convenience sample consisted of 27 learning disabled students and 29 controls or non-learning disabled students. …

The Creative Writer: An Examination Of Early Childhood Environment, Psychopathology, And Personality Traits, Cynthia I. Hagan

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The early childhood environment, the pathology, and the personality traits of non-eminent creative writers were compared to those of non-creative artists. The stated issues were examined using a thirty-item, forced choice questionaire. The results indicated that the non-creative writer group experienced more early childhood trauma than did the non-creative artist group. The findings are congruent with previous research and supports the position that early childhood environment plays a significant role in the development of creativity.

The Effects Of Early Childhood Sexual Abuse On Substance Use Among Adolescent Females Housed In An Emergency Shelter, Randa Bahmed

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This research studied the effects of childhood sexual abuse on substance use in adolescent females. Eighty females from The Cherry Hill Shelter located in Daniels, West Virginia were involved in the research. This research involved a between-subjects random design. The data was analyzed using the chi-square technique. Race, history of sexual abuse, history of substance use, and residence were involved in the analysis. The results of the chi-square technique indicated that early childhood sexual abuse and substance use among adolescent females are independent of each other. Recommendations for future research were made

Macarthur Story-Stem Battery And Gender Differences, Gina Arnett

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In this study the MacArthur Story-Stem Battery (MSSB; Bretherton, Oppenheim, Buchsbaum, Emde, & The MacArthur Narrative Group, 1990), an assessment tool that examines childrens’ ability to cope with conflict laden situations, was used to study gender differences in avoidance and aggression. Forty-three children (22 girls, 21 boys) participated in the third phase of a longitudinal study when they were between 7.5 and 8 years old (mean = 7.8). Results showed that males scored significantly higher than females on the variable of aggression in their story completions on the MSSB; however, gender differences for avoidance, while in the hypothesized direction, did …

Fathers In Prison, Learning, Glen F. Palm

Child and Family Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Among Parenting Styles, Children's Empathy, And Certain Problematic Behaviors In Children And Young Adolescents, Holly Lynn Melvin

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

From Tragedy To Triumph: Developing Resiliency From Childhood Trauma, Carla Bea Goodmote

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Insecure Attachment On Children's Social Skill Development, Kimberly A. Conrad

Graduate Research Papers

This paper focuses primarily on the importance of secure parent/child attachment to healthy development of children. Attachment theory is utilized to explain possible causes of pathological and anti-social behavior. In particular, it describes how insecure (both anxious and avoidant) attachments between parent (caretaker) and child may lead to angry, coercive, immature, withdrawn, or even suicidal behaviors in children. Parent/child attachment problems are linked to social skill deficits and problems in peer relationships. Implications for school psychologists and for future research are offered.

Television Violence : The Impact And Influence On Children And Adolescents, Preston B. Hoskins

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will look at the history of violent youth, and the unique development of youth violence in our country. The author will examine the unique characteristics that make media such a powerful communicative source. The author will show how living in a media culture affects the way youth behave, and will explore the extent to which media messages have power over their lives. Information on the significance of television violence on the behaviors of youth will be included.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Odd) In Children And Adolescents, Maria J. Garlie

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of the literature on Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in children and adolescents. Included in this review is information on the history of changes through which the diagnosis of ODD has gone, a comparison of children with ODD to "normal" children in terms of development, gender differences, co-morbidity, etiology, and treatment interventions.

Analysis Needs Assessment Of Foster Youth Group Homes, Tinya Kay Holt-Gaines

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

The Effectiveness Of Play Therapy In A School-Based Counseling Program, Aimee Marie O'Keefe

Theses Digitization Project

This research project attempted to determine whether play therapy used to treat elementary and junior high school children in a School-Based Counseling program is effective. There is conflicting evidence in the literature as to the effectiveness of therapy with children, especially play therapy. This project used a qualitative design to evaluate play therapy used in a School-Base Counseling program (SBC). Randomly selected case files from the 1998-99 academic year were analyzed using questions considering demographic information for each child, the reason the child was referred to the program, the intervention used by the therapist, and the outcomes of therapy. The …

The Snijders-Oomen Non-Verbal Intelligence Test 2 1/2-7-Revised And The Final Grade Point Averages Of First, Second And Third Grade, Combined: A Predictive Validity Study, Janice Blake

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to compare the actual achievement of 28 students from the Appalachian area over a three year period with their scores on the SON-R to assess if the instrument is a valid predictor of classroom achievement among culturally impaired youth. The subjects were 11 boys and 17 girls ranging from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, lower-middle class backgrounds, and middle-class backgrounds. Correlation of the SON-R raw score with GPA was moderate at .54 and significant at the .01 level. Correlation of SON-R Subtest scores with GPA were moderate for Mosaics (r= . 47, p< 05), Categories (r= .51, p< 01) and Patterns (r= .54, p< 01).

Coping With Loss: A Qualitative Study Of The Experience Of Sibling Bereavement In Young Adulthood, Purnima Sundar

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Existing literature in the area of bereavement as it pertains to young persons focuses primarily upon the death of a parent, and the age groups most studied are either children or adolescents. The goal of this thesis project, therefore, has been to develop an in-depth understanding of the experience of sibling bereavement in young adulthood, looking at factors that both helped and hindered effective coping. Specifically, in-depth interviews with 7 young women who had suffered the loss of a sister or brother while between the ages of 18 and 30 were conducted in an effort to shed light on this …